Note: This is a Region B encoded Blu-ray. You will need an all region player to view this disk.
“Lisa and the Devil” is to me one
of Mario Bava's lesser appreciated films. This film is strictly a
mood piece. Normal narrative and pacing goes out the window and what
were treated to is a highly surrealistic vision of a master at work.
The film became possible when Bava's
“Baron of blood” was a rousing success. His producing partner at
the time Alfred Leone gave Bava caret-blanch to make the picture he
wanted to do. That film was Bava's most personal film, Lisa And The
Devil.
Bava drew on influences from all over the place. Ranging from Krafft Ebing's novel (and dated) study on sexuality and fetishism “Psychopathia Sexualis”. Even Dostoyevsky's novel The Devils or the Demons played influence on Bava. The surrealistic mood of the works of H.P. Lovecraft have also been cited as inspirations for Mr. Bava.
The film starts out with the truly
beautiful Elke Sommer as Lisa. A tourist on holiday in Spain.
Admiring a piece of artwork painted on a wall of the devil no less.
She hears a sound and is soon enough walking the tight cobble stoned
streets. She enters a small room to discover Leandro (Played with
glee by Telly Savalas) looming over a manikin. Lenardo's resemblance
to the devil painted on the wall seen earlier freaks Lisa out. She
goes running out of the building and is soon lost. That is until an
unhappy couple with car trouble offer Lisa a lift.
They eventually wind up at an old
mansion and murder and madness soon follows. Author Alan Jones says
in the introduction to the film, “In many ways the plot really
doesn't matter”. Which is true for this film. As Jones also points
out this film is a “visual mood piece”. The entire film has a
haunting dream like quality to it. This film has Bava at his most
creative, creating a head scratching but none the less fascinating
film.
The acting from our two leads is
excellent. Elke Sommer's is nothing short of the embodiment of pure
sex and beauty in her role as Lisa. She tackles her role with much
gusto and plays it with a very child like innocence and doll like
frailty.
The true scene stealer is Telly Savalas
as the mysterious Leondro. Your never quite sure what he's up too or
what he's going to do next. Special mention should also be given to
composer Carlo Savina who creates one of the more memorable Italian
scores of the 70's.
This film is nearly impossible to fully
explain, it's a picture you much view yourself. But if you are a Bava
fan or even a Elk Sommer's fan then this film is for you.
Also included on this Blu-ray release
is the alternative (American) cut of the film “The House of
Exorcism”. Which is an odd one to say the least. When Lisa and The
Devil was taken to the Cannes film festival it failed to find
distribution. Sadly no-one but the master Bava himself saw the genius
in the film. So producer Alfredo Leone decided to tinker with the
film. The Exorcist had just came out and was a huge hit world wide so
“Lisa and the devil” was re-shot and re-edited and retitled to
The House of Exorcism. Both films couldn't be more different. House
of Exorcism comes off exactly like you'd imagine it would, which is a
poorly edited and rushed into production exorcist rip off. While the
original cut Lisa and The Devil couldn't be any different.
It's fascinating to view both cuts of
the film but Lisa and the devil is the one to watch. House of
exorcism is an interesting “film” to view because it's certainly
an oddity to see a wonderful film re-shot into something dreadful.
Arrow UK's 1080P transfers for both
cuts look outstanding. The colors are vibrant, a solid grain
structure is still intact and details are present. Often the film has
a soft look to it but it was obviously intentional to the films dream
like quality.
Both English and Italian audio tracks
are included. No matter which you choose you will be rewarded with
solid tracks. The English track is my preferred track since it
features Savalas's original voice.
Each cut of the film is accompanied
with their own audio commentary tracks. On Lisa and the devil were
treated to a Tim Lucas commentary which is dry but very informative.
More interesting is the commentary on House of Exorcism. Which
features producer Alfred Leone and star Elke Sommer, both have a
blast reminiscing over the production and hearing Leone discuss the
troubles with the film is interesting.
“The Exorcism of Lisa” is a worth
while 25 minute documentary that discusses the differences between
the two cuts of the film.
Next up are a few trailers and a radio
spot for the film. Also included is an extended 3 minute sex scene
and rounding out the extras are two Alan Jones introductions. One for
each cut of the film.
Also to be included as per usual with
Arrow is reversible cover art, collectors booklet and mini-poster.
Lisa and the Devil is classic Mario
Bava. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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